Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 1, 2026
Novel In Vivo Micro-Computed Tomography Imaging Techniques for Assessing the Progression of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
Published on: March 24, 2023
Nondiffuse fatty infiltration of the liver: does the uptake of iron-oxide increase or decrease at SPIO-enhanced MR
Hideko Onoda1, Katsuyoshi Ito, Masahiro Tanabe
1Department of Radiology, Yamaguchi University School of Medicine, 1-1-1 Minamikogushi, Ube, Yamaguchi 755-8505, Japan.
Purpose:
To clarify whether the uptake of SPIO increases or decreases in areas of fatty change compared with surrounding areas of nonfatty change at SPIO-enhanced MR imaging.
Materials And Methods:
Approval for this retrospective study was obtained from our institutional review board. This study included 14 patients with nondiffuse fatty infiltration of the liver who underwent SPIO-enhanced MR imaging. Additionally, 30 patients without nondiffuse fatty infiltration of the liver were also evaluated.
Results:
Among 14 patients, areas of fatty change showed relatively high signal intensity in 7 patents, indicating decreased uptake of SPIO in areas of fatty change. In these 7 patients, 4 had mild cirrhosis and 3 did not have cirrhosis. The mean percentage of signal intensity loss (42%) of fatty areas was significantly lower (p<0.007) than that of adjacent areas of nonfatty change (52%). In the remaining 7 of 14 patients, areas of fatty change showed relatively low signal intensity, indicating increased uptake of SPIO in areas of fatty change. Among these 7 patients, 6 had advanced cirrhosis. The mean percentage of signal intensity loss (47%) of fatty areas was significantly higher (p<0.008) than that of adjacent areas of nonfatty change (31%).
Conclusion:
The uptake of SPIO generally decreased in areas of fatty change compared with normal liver parenchyma at SPIO-enhanced MR imaging. However, in patients with advanced cirrhosis, areas of fatty change shows relatively low signal intensity because the uptake of SPIO in surrounding areas of nonfatty change severely decreased probably due to liver fibrosis.
Insights
Superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) uptake generally decreases in fatty liver areas. However, advanced cirrhosis can reverse this, showing increased SPIO uptake in fatty liver due to surrounding tissue changes.
Area of Science:
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging
- Hepatology
- Radiology
Background:
- Fatty infiltration of the liver is a common condition.
- Superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) enhanced MRI is used for liver imaging.
- Understanding SPIO uptake in fatty liver is crucial for accurate diagnosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if SPIO uptake changes in fatty liver areas compared to non-fatty areas.
- To investigate the impact of cirrhosis on SPIO uptake in fatty liver disease.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 14 patients with fatty liver and 30 controls.
- SPIO-enhanced MRI was performed on all patients.
- Signal intensity and signal intensity loss in fatty vs. non-fatty areas were compared.
Main Results:
- In 7/14 patients without advanced cirrhosis, SPIO uptake decreased in fatty areas (lower signal intensity loss).
- In 7/14 patients with advanced cirrhosis, SPIO uptake increased in fatty areas (higher signal intensity loss).
- Cirrhosis significantly impacted SPIO uptake patterns in fatty liver.
Conclusions:
- SPIO uptake typically decreases in fatty liver areas.
- Advanced cirrhosis alters SPIO uptake, potentially due to fibrosis in surrounding non-fatty liver tissue.
- SPIO-enhanced MRI findings in fatty liver vary with the presence and severity of cirrhosis.
Related Concept Videos
01:24Magnetic Resonance Imaging
01:25Ultrasound II: Endoscopic Ultrasound and FibroScan
Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS):
01:17Assessment of Diffusion and Perfusion
The Role of Diffusion in Respiration
Diffusion is the process by which molecules move from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration. In the respiratory system, this principle...